ALos Angelescourtroom this week began hearing what lawyers describe as a landmark trial over whetherMeta'sInstagramandGoogle'sYouTube were deliberately designed to keep children hooked, with internal company documents describing the platforms as 'like a drug' and comparing product features to casino mechanics.
TikTokandSnapwere originally named in the lawsuit but settled for undisclosed sums before the trial opened. Meta and Google are fighting the claims in court.
The case centres on a single plaintiff, a 20-year-old identified only as KGM, who began watching YouTube at age 6 and joined Instagram at 9. Her lawyers argue that heavy social media use worsened her depression and mental health. The outcome could determine how thousands of similar lawsuits across the country proceed.
The case has been designated a 'bellwether trial', meaning the verdict will influence how courts handle a backlog of similar claims brought by parents, school districts and advocacy groups against social media companies.
If the plaintiffs win, the jury's decision could redefine what legal duty platforms owe to young users when their products cause harm.
The stakes extend beyond one courtroom. The trial is being watched as a test of whether American law will treat addictive digital design the same way it has treated other industries found to have knowingly harmed consumers.
Plaintiffs presented internal emails, studies and company messages to the jury during opening statements.
One internal Meta study, codenamed 'Project Myst', surveyed 1,000 teenagers and parents. The research found that teens who had experienced trauma or stress were particularly vulnerable to heavy platform use.
Internal Google documents compared certain YouTube product features to casino reward systems, describing how unpredictable content delivery kept users engaged for longer periods.
In one internal message, a Meta employee described Instagram as 'like a drug' and said employees were 'basically pushers'. Plaintiffs argue this is evidence of intent, not a throwaway remark.
Source: International Business Times UK
